Fluoxetine for Depression User Reviews (Page 3)

• AAJ...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 11, 2016

Fluoxetine "I have suffered from depression for over 30 years now and have gone on and off of Prozac several times during the years. What I have found is that when I'm taking it, I will feel so good that I always eventually stop taking it, thinking that I do not need it, but then after a few months I need to go back on the medication and within no more than 2 weeks I feel like a new person. While writing this, I only hope that I am never foolish enough to stop taking Prozac."

• Osc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 17, 2019

Fluoxetine "I took Prozac several years ago for depression. It worked much differently than other antidepressants I've ever tried. I felt it working the very first day, which really surprised me. It's hard to explain, but this medicine wouldn't allow me to feel depressed. It was a little like being emotionally detached, but to me, that's much better than the depressed state of mind I was in. One thing I noticed was the excellent increase in energy I suddenly had. I couldn't sit still, I cleaned the house from top to bottom, no daytime napping anymore, and I loved that! My thinking was clearer, it was a happy feeling. The only reason I stopped taking it at that time was I couldn't sleep much many nights with all that energy. I took it again about 3 years ago, but didn't get the same results as the first time. I chalk that up to being several years older now and taking blood pressure and pain meds. Overall, it's the best antidepressant I've ever tried."

• Phi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 15, 2013

Fluoxetine "I suffered with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder & Generalized Anxiety Disorder, which caused depression and stress. I came on here in June looking for answers. I used to be on Sertraline, but they stopped working after I had stopped and went back on them. I thought my life was over. I got put on 20mg Prozac by my doctor, and it is the best medicine ever. I would highly recommend it. It gave me my life back. I am so happy, no more stresses. Also, I have no side effects. Give it about 6 weeks, trust me, and you will see how this works. Unbelievable. 10/10!"

• luv...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 23, 2014

Fluoxetine "I suffered horribly with postpartum depression and severe anxiety for 2 years after the birth. Felt so terrible all the time, felt like I couldn't do anything. Everything overwhelmed me. Tried Prozac and didn't notice a difference for 2 weeks, then slowly started feeling calmer and could somewhat focus on tasks and errands. I started supplements, vitamin D3, and fish oil. Felt more relief with this combination of Prozac and supplements. Noticed a lift in mood and sleep was once again welcomed instead of torture. I had severe insomnia during my depression. All I can say is I've been on this combination for almost 6 years and felt much better. My heart goes out to anyone suffering from this illness."

• Ano...
• January 6, 2020

Fluoxetine "Was on this medication Prozac 20mg for anxiety and depression. But I was not happy when my psychiatrist told me that I needed medication. I thought that I just needed to see a psychologist and talk to, but my psychiatrist told me that I needed both together. I was upset about taking this medication, but my psychiatrist calmed me down and told me how I will be able to be happier/calmer and deal with life problems better. I left the appointment much happier. Like I said, the medication worked perfectly. I had no more anxiety attacks, less feeling of depression, but now 40mg started last year. I am still on it. Prozac has saved my life, able to deal with life again. I had a few side effects not too bad. I was monitored when at home, work, appointment, college by family, friends, doctors, teachers, tutors, and psychologists because of the side effects. I love this medication. I am calmer, safer, and happier. Don’t be afraid of medication, doctors only give it to help you."

• Meg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 8, 2018

Fluoxetine "I've taken Prozac for 2 weeks now. So far I've experienced a big decrease in appetite, which has been okay. The two major things that this drug has changed for me is that it's made me calm and collected, and it makes me worry/stress less. The thoughts and problems that usually fill my head don't affect me as much anymore, and I get over things much quicker, which has led to decreasing my stress and my severe anxiety. I've also felt very calm and mellow, which could turn some people off, but for me, it has been a blessing. I've always not been able to stay still or focus, and I am very scatterbrained, so this is a huge change that I've welcomed. It has helped me actually get things done and focus, and has made me much more productive since I actually have the motivation to do things now. Thanks for reading, I wish all of you luck on Prozac! Will definitely continue taking this amazing drug and am excited to see how much more it can positively change my life in the future."

• Me ...
• October 10, 2015

Fluoxetine "I've been on this for a year at 20mg and am so happy I chose to do so. I was so down; couldn't sleep, not present in the moment, constantly worrying, etc. I was very skeptical of any SSRI and prefer to go 'natural' so I resisted. Over a year later I feel like I have a new life, a better future, am a better employee, spouse, parent, etc. I suggest using an 'all the above' approach as part of a strategy to combat depression. Involve a good counselor who has similar values, exercise, eat well, rest, be around supportive people, do something spiritual consistently. I did this and my world changed for the better. I hope it is sustainable."

• Mar...
• August 2, 2018

Fluoxetine "I lived life trying to fake it until I could make it. I lived like I was an extrovert but inside I felt like a worthless daughter, wife, mother, and friend. I worked myself into a state of being physically ill & nearly died. When I discovered that I subconsciously attempted a long-term suicide, I woke up to complete chaos. I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder w/psychosis. I started Prozac & was so sick & tired the first 2 weeks that I wanted to stop taking it but wasn’t allowed to. Prozac allowed me to accept my natural personality & create a healthy, happy, and safe way to live. I would love to think I would be okay now without it but it isn’t worth the risk. I have such peace in my heart & mind. I did add a low dose of Wellbutrin after the first year for sexual side effects. No drug will fix everything and they all have side effects but this combo has worked for me and has given me the life I now know I deserve. Good luck!"

• TT7...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2016

Fluoxetine "I've been depressed for most of my life but was raised to 'tough it out'. I am a recovering opioid addict so I am scared to take any medication at all. The last 3 years, I've completely withdrawn from any social activities, relationships, and have just been doing the bare minimum to get by. Recently, my oldest son turned 18 and has severed ties with me. This took me to the lowest low I've ever been and made me suicidal. For the sake of my younger son, I chose to get help. I was put on 20mg of Prozac and have been on it for 3 weeks. I wish I would have done this sooner. Through my recovery from opioids, I've learned that pills are not the answer, so these combined with counseling is the solution I've needed for a long time. I hope this helps others."

• Anx...
• May 28, 2019

"After 11 weeks of being on fluoxetine, today I woke up feeling different. I started talking without thinking, and everything was coming out clearly. I didn’t have to hide behind this wall of depression and anxiety anymore. I noticed I laughed more, wanted to listen to music again. I want people to know that it can take up to 12 weeks to work for fluoxetine. I felt miserable and anxious the night before, doubting the tablets and overthinking. Most doctors say 6-8 weeks, but I feel this is the reason people don’t get to see if it honestly works for you or not. So I can’t stress enough, please wait, unless you are suicidal. I finally get to live on the other side, the side I used to be so jealous of how other people could be that happy and why not me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2013

Fluoxetine "I am a 60-year-old woman who seemed to be depressed all the time. I was always depressed and crying, now I never get depressed and seldom do I cry. Things that bothered me don't affect me much now. This has been a godsend for me!"

• God...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2019

Fluoxetine "So I have had to take this medicine on and off for some time. It has worked in making me feel safe and able to enjoy doing things again. The longest I have been on it is 3 months. My advice would be to stay on it for longer than 6 months to see the full effects but if you feel healed then consider stopping it just so you are not dependent on a pill. Every depression episode is different. It may work faster sometimes, it may also make you feel worse at first. You may get headaches, feel sick from your stomach. Sometimes we tend to be stubborn and stop taking the medicine, making us go through suffering again. My advice is to take it, change your thoughts into positive ones, and try as best as you can to stop overthinking instead enjoy everyday life. God bless you all."

• Pot...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 11, 2020

"I last posted on here 12 months ago as I started 20mg Fluoxetine and was hoping it would help years of depression. I rated each day from 1-10 depending on how I was feeling and bravely pushed through the horrendous side effects. It took about 12 weeks to feel the benefits and the Dr suggested I increase to 40mg which is a medium dose. Well I can tell you the difference is incredible. I just feel normal and in the real world...no anxiety..safe from depression and just me 30 years ago. Please, please stick with this drug despite the racing heart, upset stomachs etc. They do go away in the end. I rated myself this morning as a 9.5...won’t give myself a 10 lol but I’ve been in the 9’s for about 2 months. This dose is absolutely the right amount for me and my Dr agrees that staying on it for the rest of my life (I’m 63) is the right thing to do. A little tip...take it when you have your biggest meal and take it 3/4 of the way through, never on an empty stomach. Good luck everyone x"

• Mir...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 10, 2020

"I have been taking fluoxetine for about 7 months now. I take it to control my negative dark thoughts and suicidal thoughts. Since I've been taking it, I feel a sense of happiness and calmer. It is good at treating depression and anxiety disorders. I would highly recommend it to anyone, it's made me feel normal again. I have no side effects at all."

• lig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 4, 2020

"I started a low dose of fluoxetine about 6 weeks ago for depression & anxiety. I had no side effects except loss of appetite (still do) and the first few weeks (3-4) were a little bit of a rollercoaster of anxiety, but I started having some good days for the first time in years and could tell my depressive lows were “losing their grip” so I stuck with it. 6 weeks in and I’m feeling so much better. More energy, better concentration, more motivation, less foggy, less depressed, less fatigue (I was EXTREMELY fatigued before the meds). My PMS symptoms have also lessened. Overall I feel more present in my life and I feel more like myself and more at ease. I refused to try meds for a long time. I hadn’t realized how much stigma I had unconsciously internalized. It’s not for everyone but I wish I had tried earlier. If you’re thinking about it, at least have a convo with your doctor. You don’t deserve to suffer."

• Hky...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2020

"I have been on fluoxetine for approx. 1 month. I started with 10mg for the first 7 days, and then upped my dosage to 20mg. Initially, I was dealing with some side effects, such as light headaches, and on 20mg, I tended to yawn... a lot. But with all of that said, it has been a godsend. Generally, my depression fears its head by way of angry outburst, but I haven’t had an outburst at all since starting these meds (and believe me, I’ve been tested & tried - lol). Overall, fluoxetine seems to be a VERY good option for my depression and anxiety, I am so grateful to have found it and I hope you have the same experience, should you decide to start it."

• Cra...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 15, 2018

Fluoxetine "Give this medication at least 3 months to fully work. I started at 20 mg and increased to 40 mg within a month and a half. I have to be honest, the side effects can be difficult, but stay with it regardless because you’ll be thankful you did by the time you start feeling the benefits of this drug. A year ago is when I started Prozac and I’m so much happier today than I was from the start. Give it time because nothing good happens overnight. Good luck to everyone."

• des...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 3, 2016

Fluoxetine "I'm pretty outgoing in nature, but I'd get depressed and aggressive from time to time. Anyway, so the first 5 weeks on this med were very up and down. I slept but woke up feeling tired. I was drowsy during the day. I'd feel good some days and worse on others. I was going to quit on my 6th week. I woke up and said 'I can't take this anymore,' but my mom convinced me to keep taking it. It was like a miracle. I just woke up in the morning, 6th week in, and felt okay one morning, energetic, happy, motivated. I could phone up anyone and talk without feeling like it was torture. So give it at least 6 weeks. It should get even better than how I'm feeling now. That would be amazing!"

• Coo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 31, 2022

Fluoxetine "I wanted to share my experience because when I was in the thick of my depression and reluctantly decided to try antidepressants, I was absolutely terrified, and it was reading reviews on here that really helped me stick it out and have hope for a better future. Prozac/Fluoxetine has honestly changed my life. In the best way ever. I had so many symptoms that I thought were just personality traits that I can see now were actually my anxiety and depression. I used to worry so much about everything and had terrible insomnia because of it. I was completely reliant on sleep aids and was always overwhelmed with work so much that I was taking sick days very regularly. Prozac did take about 8 weeks to start working for me. So you do need to be very patient. But I feel so much better now. I don’t feel any different, just think clearer and no longer sweat the small things. If you’re struggling, please don’t be scared. It might be the best decision you make."

• Pum...
• December 21, 2020

"I just wanted to update as I left a review at 4 days into fluoxetine. Anyone that’s struggling - please hang on in there. It’s a bumpy road to recovery even on antidepressants but my god my life is getting so much clearer and better by the day. Be patient, and kind to yourself. You HAVE GOT THIS. It’s hard, so hard but you will will will get better. Lots of love x"

• Gil...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 2, 2020

"I am a two-tour Navy veteran of the Vietnam conflict diagnosed through the Veterans Administration with PTSD. I was prescribed fluoxetine to treat all my symptoms but targeted anxiety and depression. My initial dosage was set at 60mg daily. The initial dose flattened my emotional reaction to life. No lows but also no highs. My nephew died and was honored with a memorial service. I felt nothing although mentally I knew I had loved him dearly and cared about him a great deal. The fluoxetine was working too well. I adjusted my dosage myself to 40mg per day and within weeks I felt more human and had a greater sense of emotions. On the upside, I have had fewer war-related nightmares and have been more calm and rational. I would encourage a person with neurological trauma such as myself to work with a doctor and try this medication. I have suffered no physical side effects from its use."

• Ram...
• May 20, 2017

Fluoxetine "Six months ago, I was hospitalized. I had never been treated for my depression due to insurance and financial issues. During my 9-day stay at the hospital, they started me on 20mg of Prozac. By the time I left the hospital, I was at 40mg. The suicidal thoughts went away, and I was able to feel moments of clarity. Although I made some big life changes after being released from the hospital, the depression was still there. Sleep and isolation were still my life. Now that I have been on Prozac for 6 months, I look back and realize how far I have come. I am now taking 80mg a day, and I can finally break through the fog. For me, depression wasn't necessarily sadness, but an absence in vitality. Prozac has helped me regain it."

• 90 ...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 8, 2021

"I find it so misleading when people urge complete strangers not to take a prescription. Firstly, every individual is a different person. Our bodies are created in our own unique ways. This includes reactions to drugs. I won’t urge anyone reading this to either take Prozac or to stay away. This bulletin is to share experiences, not to scare others. Personally, I started out on a low dose. Over the course of 12 months, my doctor got me up to 90 mg a day. During our visits, she would ask me how my depression is doing, cry spells, panic attacks, and sleep. Without me really noticing, my body recovered and rose to the surface of the black hole I fell into. For me, Prozac worked so seamlessly. Day by day, without any side effects, it truly changed my mental health. I believe in prescriptions. As I mentioned, we are all different people. For me, I’m a depressed individual who can’t sleep well, and to top it off have crippling anxiety. Now I’m different"

• ann...
• January 27, 2014

Fluoxetine "I had slipped into a depression following some traumatic life events. The mornings were worse and often unbearable. I became suicidal. I was also agitated. I was desperate and went to a GP and was prescribed fluoxetine 20mg. I have been taking them for six weeks and feel so much better. Mood has lifted and morning depression has stopped. It's saved my life. Side effects were a sore throat and cold symptoms which lasted four days. Yawning as well. Best thing I ever did was admit I had a problem and take medicines."

• Anonymous
• December 10, 2019

Fluoxetine "I have been on it for 5 weeks. Initially, I did not feel so great, and sleep went out the window. Over time, the meds started working, and now I feel much better. Less anxious and depressed, more confident, sleep is still iffy but improving. Doc stated for me it may take 6 to 8 weeks, and I ain't stopping."